Max & Olivia Box Set

by Mark A Biggs

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  The Party

  Claudia

  After we returned to the Lelantos, I left Max to find Linda. With other things on my mind, rather than his childlike antics, I brought Linda up to speed and shared my plans for the Professor. I passed the arrangements for Saturday’s party over to her and then went to ring Monya on a secure line.

  The call lasted over an hour and, having discussed the Professor’s lapse, we agreed that the CIA had stumbled into our operation and our main work was not yet compromised. Because of the Professor’s knowledge and the development work he had done on the blockchain and cybercurrency project, he was unfortunately invaluable to us. Monya and the eleven other Brotherhood members had invested billions into his research without a return which was still two years away. If the project failed, the Brotherhood could disintegrate under the weight of a bloody and brutal gang war.

  ‘The Professor,’ said Monya, ‘has to be safeguarded at all cost, because of the blockchain project, of course, but also because his loss will prove catastrophic to my empire. I will not be vulnerable like this, you understand?’

  We discussed the plan to smuggle the Professor out of Croatia on board the yacht. At first, Monya was uncomfortable that the Professor had been left at the office. He asked why we had not apprehended and escorted him to the ship at the time. I explained my reasoning, which had several layers. If the CIA had been watching, and I thought that they would be, the moment we bundled the Professor into the car, they would have struck. I wanted them to believe that he was still on their leash – then, they would simply watch and, by the time they realized what was going on, we would have sailed away. I explained that I wished to maintain the Professor’s continued loyalty so that he remained dedicated to our task. I told Monya how I’d used the protection of his son and family as a lever and how the Professor’s later attendance at the party would secure the co-operation of his wife too.

  Reluctantly accepting my reasoning, Monya sealed the fate of the cyber unit saying, ‘Close it down and make sure nothing is left behind that can be used to link us to any criminal activities.’

  We had business continuity plans in place for situations like this one. Moving the cyber operations was more of an inconvenience than a crisis.

  Before the call ended, Monya had one more question. ‘Do you think the CIA were behind the attack on the plane?’

  ‘I wouldn’t rule it out,’ I answered, tentatively, before adding. ‘But unlikely. It had the hallmarks of another group, a personal vendetta rather than a government hit.’

  If the Professor was to be believed, and the CIA were interested in him only because of our interference in US politics, he would have been safe on board the Lelantos. However, because of the party, security was going to be a problematic. In preparation for the event, there would be a lot of movement on and off the yacht. Businesses would be delivering the catering, band equipment and decorations. There were going to be fireworks, the real kind.

  The loading dock door in the ship’s hull would be open and there would be movement of goods and people along the gangway. A complete security sweep would have to be done, once arrangements were finished. As for the party, we were expecting sixty-five guests and ten band members. That, along with our own staff, meant we were going to have a lot of people on board. With the security level at orange, we should have used metal detectors and x-ray machines, like at an airport but that was not the image Monya wanted for the party or the backdrop for the purchase discussions of Kupari. He knew that it increased our risk.

  We’d discussed the options with the head of the security and Linda and I agreed that, once we had the Professor on board, and until we left the harbour, he and his wife were to remain under guard in their cabin. It had bulletproof windows and blast-proof doors, so we expected him to be safe. Along with its missile defence system, the ship bristled with the latest in electronics. Like the Chinese, we had hacked the covert system the CIA used to communicate with its operatives so we were able to monitor their secure radio communications traffic. If they were planning a covert operation against us, we would know.

  Like a modern warship, we had the technology to shut down communications, but ruled this out as a pre-emptive measure. We would however monitor movements in and under the water. The party was due to end at midnight with a grand fireworks display. At Linda’s suggestion, I agreed to bring this forward to 10.30pm. During the party, we wanted our guards to be discreet, present but invisible and, while Linda would wear an earpiece to be in contact with the control room, I would not. My job was to mingle and conduct the negotiations, and if all went to plan, we would be safely at sea by midnight.

  The next morning, the day of the party, I saw Max briefly at breakfast. He came to join Linda and myself at a table, but when he saw that we were deep in conversation, going over the arrangements for the day, he instead said a pleasant good morning before leaving to eat in his room.

  Two nights previously, when Max infuriated me by saying to Linda, ‘Claudia has always been special to Olivia and me,’ I was faced with two choices. I could dismiss the statement as one of Max’s lies designed to cause mischief or tell Linda the truth. I am not unusual. Who amongst us shares stories of our childhood, the intimate things of our past?

  Max had designed his pronouncement to create an opening and test my loyalties to Linda. Though I knew his motives, I decided to tell Linda the truth, revealing my connections to Macinec and my meeting with Olivia and Max there. She was sympathetic and understood why I disliked going back to Macinec. She asked if Monya knew and, apprehensively, I told her that he didn’t. My decision to spare Max in Scotland was a mistake, she told me.

  ‘I now understand why you didn’t. You were not expecting the person in the chair to be the Max,’ she said, ‘nevertheless, you should have disposed of him before reaching Russian waters. You’re putting off the inevitable. What have we always said? No loose ends. When the time comes, if you want me to, I will do it for you.’

  ‘Thank you,’ I replied. ‘You’re a loyal friend.’

  She was my only friend.

  * * *

  The first of the guests arrived at 6.00pm to be greeted by Linda and myself, waiting at the top of the gangway. Linda was to stay with me until the Professor and his wife arrived. She would then whisk them aside and escort them to their cabin.

  ‘They should be here by now,’ I said, looking at my watch impatiently and seeing it was 6.45pm. ‘Ask the control room if they have picked up any CIA communication or anything else they regard as suspicious.’

  Linda took a couple of steps back to speak into her concealed microphone, while I greeted yet another arriving guest. She shook her head before joining me again.

  ‘Don’t worry Claudia, they will be here soon.’

  ‘I hope so because it was my decision to do it this way.’

  ‘And to trust that he hadn’t already turned against us,’ added Linda.

  With a slight toss of the head, I replied as nonchalantly as I could, ‘Let’s not go there.’ Then in a lighter tone, I continued, ‘You couldn’t say we haven’t chosen an interesting career.’

  ‘Claudia,’ said Linda in a serious voice. ‘The control room told me that Olivia and Inspector Axel could be on their way. We suspect that they are on one of seven cruise ships that just left Venice. They don’t know which one but some are due in Split tomorrow.’

  ‘How is that possible? How does that old biddy do it?’ I said, speaking to myself rather than it being a question for Linda.

  ‘It’s worse. Olivia is suspected of blowing up the Rome railway station, shutting down the Venice rail system and sinking several vessels in the Grand Canals. She’s on the international terrorist most-wanted list – everybody is looking for her.’

  ‘I thought that Max was the bumbling fool of the two but Olivia seems to be a walking disaster area. There is no need to worry, she won’t be boarding this ship.’

  ‘Claudia,’ said Linda, paus
ing to consider her words. ‘Olivia may be a fool, and is herself no threat, but she is bringing the entire world with her. Even we won’t be able to shake that kind of attention if she brings it to our doorstep. May I suggest we abandon sailing to Split and instead head for Turkey. The Professor would be safer and neither the CIA or even Olivia could touch us there. Besides, there are some beautiful islands there too.’

  ‘Are you suggesting we run?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Would we do this, Linda, I mean what Olivia is doing for Max if one of us were taken?’

  I spoke the words involuntarily and tried to inject humour into them, to hide the weakness it betrayed in me. However, I wanted to hear her answer.

  ‘Of course, not. The Brotherhood wouldn’t allow it. We are different.’

  I looked at my watch again and it was approaching 7.00pm. Thoughts of Olivia finding us were pushed to the back of my mind, replaced by fear. If my plan for the Professor was derailing, the consequences would be catastrophic for me.

  ‘Linda, I need to mingle, talk with the guests and pretend to laugh at their appalling jokes. The moment they arrive, send one of your men to let me know. Linda, I agree with your suggestion. Tell the captain to make the necessary arrangements. We sail for Turkey.’

  I was about to leave, when I noticed a taxi appear on the dock and decided to wait – to see who it was.

  ‘At last!’ I said aloud as the Professor and his wife walked up the gangway. Relieved, I let out an audible sigh as I said. ‘They’re yours now. I need to go and buy us a resort.’

  When a weight is lifted from your shoulders it’s surprising how it lightens the mood. I paused before joining the party-goers. It was a delightful warm spring night, the sky was clear, and the music rhythmic, inviting dancing, which many people were doing. It wasn’t so loud as to stop conversation.

  I launched myself into the fray, introducing myself and mixing as I apologised for Monya’s absence. Towards 9.00pm I joined three men, with whom I would be discussing Kupari.

  ‘Gentlemen, may I join you?’ I asked, approaching them while lifting my champagne glass.

  Chatting, flirting, laughing, using all of the tricks in my repertoire, I worked to disarm them.

  ‘More champagne,’ I called, emptying my glass for the second time.

  As I had expected, the men had matched me drink for drink but, unlike them, I was using the trick Monya had taught me when we first met. The wine waiters were ensuring that my champagne had the potency of mineral water. Before the negotiations, I wanted them happy and relaxed but not drunk. That would have been counter-productive. We’d agreed to private talks at 9.30pm and it was now approaching 9.20pm and we were starting our third glass.

  ‘Gentleman,’ I said, ‘may I suggest we retire to start our deliberations?’

  I was about to add, follow me, when Linda caught my attention. ‘If you wouldn’t mind excusing me, I will just be a moment,’ I said instead.

  Maintaining a reassuring smile, I left the men to join Linda at the bow of the boat, well away from the other passengers.

  ‘Is there a problem?’

  ‘Half an hour ago a sensor picked up some movement in the water. We checked but drew a blank. Then ten minutes ago an alarm on one of the lower level doors activated. It could be nothing, because we have people wandering all over the yacht but I’ll have security doing a deck by deck search and I thought you would want to know.’

  ‘Sounds like you have it in hand but let’s double the guard on the Professor’s room, with instruction that unless I have given clearance, they are to shoot anybody who tries to enter, or gains entry. Once I’ve finished my meeting, I’ll join you. One last thing, have you seen Max? I wouldn’t want our potential intruders actually being him trying to leave us.’

  He’s right over there,’ said Linda pointing with her eyes toward the railing.

  * * *

  Max

  Pretending to be gazing over the harbour, I watched Claudia and Linda as they huddled together in an intense conversation. Turning, I scanned the deck and saw the security staff, scurrying about.

  Something is unsettling them.

  Claudia would be worried that if the CIA discovered her plans to smuggle the Professor out of Croatia, they might try a snatch and grab operation. This was the opportunity for which I had been waiting. Having spent the last two days ensuring that I had been seen by every guard as I wandered the ship before retiring each night, now was the time to make a break for it. I would do my best to avoid detection but at the worst, I hoped that I would be ignored. Just Max going for his nightly wander, they’d think, as they searched the boat for an intruder.

  I waited until Claudia headed back towards the party before I followed at a discreet distance. The three men she’d entertained joined her and they headed inside the yacht. Glancing around, I located Linda who was busily talking into her microphone, scanning the deck and then looking over the side, obviously checking to see if anyone or anything was in the water. While she was distracted, I slipped inside, making my way through the dining room before dropping down a level and stopping outside my cabin door. Pausing, I heard approaching feet as they echoed along the corridor. There was no time to hide so, waiting until they were about to round the corner, I launched myself forward, with an old man’s shuffle, and, head slightly bowed, into their path.

  ‘Good evening,’ I pronounced as if slightly shaken to meet them head on.

  As I was close to my own cabin, I suspected that security staff wouldn’t be alarmed.

  As quickly as I could, I added, ‘I’m taking a stroll, away from all of that fuss and noise outside, before turning in for the night.’

  ‘Okay Max,’ was all they said.

  I waited as they continued along the hallway, then smiled when I overheard one of them speak into their radio.

  ‘We just met Max on his nightly stroll. Don’t mistake him for an intruder if he comes your way.’

  Moving as stealthily as I could, it took me fifteen minutes to reach the door to the submarine bay. The decision was now or never. I knew opening it would likely trigger an alarm somewhere else in the ship, but it was a risk I had to take.

  Once inside, I saw the submarine. It looked like a clear bubble in front of a solid hull with two protruding pods running forward of it, which then angled down, one on each side of the dome. From inside, the pilot would have an unobstructed view in almost every direction. On the outside of the submarine, I counted six thrusters that must control omni-directional movement. Invitingly, in the dry dock holding pen, it glistened, waiting to be stolen.

  To the right, attached to an inside bulkhead of the yacht, was a large panel of buttons. Moving closer to study them, I found one button with Flood embossed and another, Outer Door.

  I reasoned they flooded the dry dock and opened the bay doors to allow the submarine to leave the ship.

  My finger hovered over the flood button, while my mind churned over the best way to execute this escape. If entering the submarine bay hadn’t triggered an alarm, flooding the compartment and opening the outer doors surely would. I decided that, if I could be out in the submarine before the party guests left the yacht, it would be difficult for Claudia to give chase using the ship. I had never been in a mini-sub before so I decided to risk detection for a little longer, by familiarising myself with the controls of the submarine, before flooding the dock.

  Pulling my finger away from the button, I returned to the dock only to discover that finding a door to enter the sub was a test. A quick search turned frantic after my second circle of the submarine. Stopping to regain my composure and counting to ten, I scanned the submarine. Then I saw it, a hatch on top of the clear dome. Clambering up wasn’t difficult and it opened with ease. Once inside, I pulled and secured the hatch, in practice for diving, and lowered myself into the middle of the three seats.

  This is getting worse.

  Expecting to see instruments and controls like a plane, I was confronted ins
tead by nothing but an unimpeded view out of the front. Looking about, I found, on the seat to my right, what appeared to be a controller from a video game. It wasn’t fixed to a dashboard, but attached by a flexible cord. The whole thing could be held in one hand. Like a game controller, there were two joysticks, one on the left and the other on the right.

  Presumably for directional control?

  In the middle was a round dial which read Vertical Thrust. Underneath the left joystick were two buttons, one reading Hold Depth and the other Hold Heading. Under the right joystick, another two buttons read Push to Talk and Dead Man Trigger. Above the Thrust dial were another four buttons, two for Diving Tanks and the others saying, Vent and Blow. Exploring a little more, I saw that, in front of me and a little above eye height, was a digital monitor, attached to the dome.

  Looking at my watch, I saw that it was just after 10.00pm. The submarine controls seemed simple enough but I was conscious that I needed to hurry. In a matter of moments, security personnel could be here, searching for whoever entered or left the submarine bay. The only remaining obstacle was to find how to fire it up. Somewhere, there had to be a switch or key. I turned the controller over, flipping it around several times but could see nothing like ignition, start, on or go. I looked about the bubble, seeing nothing except the passenger seats. Time was ticking away and, glancing again at my watch, I noted that it was now 10.05pm. Raising my head, I peered at the digital monitor which was a dead screen. Running my fingers over it and pushing in a few places, it suddenly came alive.

  Bingo, we have power.

  For a younger man, perhaps opening the hatch and hauling himself out would be easy. But at eighty-seven, it proved more challenging than entering and I was breathless by the time my feet hit the dry dock. I had to stop and rest for a minute to regain my strength. Worried, I glanced around and was amazed that I hadn’t been discovered. After making it back to the master control panel and, while reaching up to press the flood button, I changed my mind.